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Asia

April 17, 2026 8:30 AM

UN chief welcomes Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, urges full compliance with international law

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, expressing hope that it would help advance efforts toward lasting peace in the region. “I welcome the announcement of ...

April 16, 2026 2:46 PM

Rattled by Trump, US allies eye Japan’s biggest arms opening since WW2

Japan's imminent easing of arms export rules has sparked strong interest from Warsaw to Manila, Reuters reporting found, as President Donald Trump wavers on security commitments to allies and the wars in Iran and Ukraine strain U.S. weapons supplies....

April 16, 2026 1:15 PM

Can Iran legally impose tolls on the Strait of Hormuz?

Tehran has sought to tighten its grip over the Strait of Hormuz by charging tolls on vessels to ensure safe passage, in conjunction with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The following explains law governing toll collections and actions that...

April 16, 2026 10:10 AM

US optimistic of deal with Iran as it increases economic pressure

The Trump administration expressed optimism on Wednesday about reaching a deal to end the war with Iran, while also warning of increasing economic pressure against Tehran if it remains defiant. President Donald Trump has said he believes the war he ...

April 16, 2026 10:04 AM

US warns that buyers of Iranian oil could be hit with sanctions

The United States on Wednesday threatened to sanction buyers of Iranian oil and said it believed China would pause such purchases as Washington enforces a maritime blockade on Iran. "We have told countries that if you are buying Iranian oil, that if...

April 16, 2026 1:02 PM

Hopes for Middle East peace grow with Israel and Lebanon eyeing ceasefire

Optimism grew on Thursday that the war in the Middle East may be near an end, with a key Pakistani mediator in Tehran and the administration of President Donald Trump talking up hopes for a deal that would open the crucial Strait of Hormuz. Israel's...

April 16, 2026 9:52 AM

White House offers no hint of Iran war cost as it seeks military funding surge

White House budget director Russell Vought said on Wednesday he could not estimate the cost of the Iran war, as he defended President Donald Trump's request for a massive $1.5 trillion annual military budget against bipartisan criticism from U.S. law...

April 15, 2026 1:44 PM

US begins naval blockade of Iranian ports

The United States Navy has begun enforcing a full maritime blockade of Iranian ports, escalating tensions in West Asia after weekend peace talks in Pakistan collapsed without agreement. The operation took effect at 6 pm Dubai time, with U.S. Central ...

April 15, 2026 12:49 PM

US signals Iran talks resumption as Israel, Lebanon hold first direct talks in decades

The United States has indicated that talks with Iran could resume within days, while Israel and Lebanon have launched their first direct negotiations in decades, signaling parallel diplomatic efforts to ease escalating tensions across West Asia. US ...

April 15, 2026 2:19 PM

Italy’s Meloni suspends defence cooperation deal with Israel

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Tuesday her government had suspended a defence cooperation deal with Israel, reflecting frayed ties between previously close allies as the conflicts in the Middle East continue. Meloni's right-wing gover...

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